Store plans also hint at additional space for tenants

February 3, 2014

Plans for a large outdoors store in Allegheny Township also show an additional building that could accommodate up to four tenants in the Sierra North Plaza.

The 11,040-square-foot structure will be about one-fifth the size of the 52,100-square-foot Field & Stream store slated to be built this year on the site of the former Circuit City, next to Target.

Field & Stream representatives, earlier this month, told Allegheny Township supervisors that they want to build a store similar to one that opened in August outside Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township.

The one in Cranberry Township features vaulted ceilings and hunting lodge decor, including mounted wildlife.

Field & Stream stores are a division of Dick's Sporting Goods and are not affiliated with the magazine of the same name.

Assistant Planning Director Jamie Klink told the Blair County Planning Commission Thursday that the plans for the smaller building beside the Field & Stream store do not identify specific use.

"It could hold up to four tenants," Klink said.

Parking for both structures is more than adequate, Klink added.

Based on the size of the Field & Stream store, it needs 261 spaces, but 283 are currently available, Klink said. In addition, Field & Stream wants to set aside seven diagonal spaces for RV vehicles up to 45 feet long.

Based on the size of the smaller building that can house four tenants, it needs 56 parking spaces, Klink said, but the site has 84.

Klink offered pictures of the Cranberry Township store to the planning commission members who concluded the proposed project to be consistent with countywide comprehensive planning efforts.

"It's a store that draws in a lot of people, and it's kind of exciting that we're getting one," Klink said.

Planning commission member Bob Gutshall said he is familiar with the store and believes it will be a good addition to the area.

Planning commission member Randy Isenberg said he believes the store will draw a lot of traffic. He also suggested the need for redesigning the nearby intersection, which divides traffic coming from Plank Road and consolidates traffic heading toward Plank Road.

"That was a question raised when Target and Circuit City went in," planning commission Chairman William Hall said. "But it's never been addressed."